Over the past few days I've been having a nice conversation with a girl whose Cerebral Palsy is very similar to my own. I don't really know her but she seems like a great person who's fun to talk to. However, it made me sad when she told me that she's afraid to trust people because she doesn't know if they will accept her for her illness.
In response to that comment I told her that she wasn't alone. Because even those who tend to look on the bright side of things will sometimes get caught in the illusion that things are going horribly wrong. In regards to this person's privacy I will keep her name anonymous. But hopefully, by giving her 10 basic tips based on my own experiences, will help her out.
1. Surround yourself with people who look at you for what you have on the inside rather then surrounding yourself with people who judge you for your physical limitations. People who are afraid to see what you have to offer probably don't have much to offer themselves, so don't let that bother you.
2. If you go out with friends and feel like your struggling to keep up, don't be afraid to tell them, because if they are truly your friends they will wait for you to catch up.
3. Do not dwell on the things you can't do but rather focus on the things you can do.
4. Try not to get to hung up on finding that special someone. Their are people who have no physical limitations who search all their lives to find their soul mate and trust me, when you do find that right person you will just know, and it will be the best feeling you've ever experienced.
5. If you feel like your world is crashing down know, that it is only temporary and not permanent. Sooner or later, you will get back on top.
6. Be a doer not a quitter. When you fall get up, brush yourself, off, and try again.
7. Find someone who you care about and can tell anything to. More then likely, they will gain more respect for you and your bond will just keep getting stronger. You become each others rock and nothing on this earth can break that special bond you have with that person.
8. Don't be afraid to fail because without failure, you'll never really know what it truly means to succeed.
9. Sometimes it's good to move a little slower in a world that moves way to fast.
10. Remember that Cerebral Palsy is only one aspect of your life and not the entirety of your life. Try to focus on the positive aspects of your disability and not the negative. Trust me, nine times out of ten you can turn a negative into a positive.
I hope these 10 tips helped somewhat and just remember you're never alone. If you need someone to talk to don't hesitate to e-mail me at cpawareness1@live.com. Remember, anything is possible!
Sincerely,
Matthew J. Powell (The CP Optimist)
